Form of Ash and Dust (1 pt. Form Element)
The Splendor takes the form of something that is evocative of death. It might be a funeral
garment, or an old bone, or decorated with skulls. It might be smeared with crematory ash. This Element defines the Splendor's physical form and gives it a character, and that character is
aligned with the power of death. Other Elements may draw upon this fact.
The Splendor can be summoned directly into the Underworld when made to manifest, if its
owner desires. As the basis for an Adornment, it grants its user the ability to see and interact with
ghosts on the other side of the Shroud. As the basis for a Fascination, it can interact with both the
land of the living and the Underworld.
Form of Verdant Wood (1 pt. Form Element)
The Splendor takes the form of something that is vital, or lively, or green, or fecund, or, most
likely, something made of wood. It might even be a living plant. This Element defines the
Splendor's physical form and gives it a character, and that character is aligned with the
elemental power of wood. Other Elements may draw upon this fact.
The Splendor easily blends into natural surroundings when it would be useful for it to be hidden,
and immediately stands out when its owner is looking for it, or to those it wishes to attract. As an
Adornment, increases its user's Initiative modifier by two. As the basis for a Fascination, it may
generate the creator's choice of: fragrant scents; an area encompassing (Splendor's rating x 5)
yards in which animals and insects will not attack; enticing fruit, which may act as the focus for
a Root Element; or an aura of peace and tranquility.
Transformation (3 pt. Root Element)
The Splendor causes a transformation in accordance with its character, as defined by Form
Elements such as Form of Graceful Air. The nature of the transformation depends on the Form or
Forms in play, but might include transformation into things like a sparrow (air), pig (earth), a
living flame (fire), a fish (water), a stag (wood), a walking corpse (death), a semitranslucent
spirit (spirit), or a fantastic beast such as a sphinx (dreams). These are meant to be examples, and
not an all-inclusive list.
As an Adornment, this Splendor requires a point of Willpower and a turn spent in transformation
to either assume the characteristic form or return to the user's native form.
As part of a Fascination the maximum duration of the transformation (assuming it isn't cut short
earlier by fulfilling some criteria built into the Splendor) is one day for a 1-2 dot Splendor, one
week for a 3-dot Splendor, one month for a 4-dot Splendor, and one year for a 5-dot Splendor.
Description:
At first glance this tree looks like an alien mix of a Cypress and the thunder trees of Sanctuary. It stands straight as a sword blade, always seeming just a little too tall to fit wherever it rests, with rough iron bark and strange pulsing fruits that never seem quite alike to any two observers.
A closer inspection quickly reveals it is not some eccentric sorcerer's attempt at gardening; the first sign being the ominous glow that occasionally flickers within the gnarled skirt of its roots. Where a knowledgeable eye would be alarmed to see its
roots borrowing into an unshielded nuclear reactor.
The Cypress tree is in truth a living act of transubstantiation, turning the physical division of matter turned against itself into the moment a mortal soul does the same.
Effects:
The Cypress must be summoned on a nuclear reactor to do anything, as the sympathy found between the decay of physical matter and the division of Hun from Po is necessary to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual.
When summoned with a valid fuel source the cypress forms around it, cracking the casing and draining as much power as is necessary to leave it entirely depleted when it discorporates once more. This absorption doesn't allow for any significant leakage, as all radiation is consumed as quickly as it can be released.
While it is active, the tree produces nuts that contain the purest essence of suicide; the energy released when a mortal turns their free will to the task of ending their own life by any means necessary. Each nut must be used within a day of being picked or they will begin to decay into a hazardous dose of radiation.
Emotivores who consume them during that period absorb the energy as if feeding from a mortal. Any other creature that does so nauseated for the rest of the scene as they're subjected to the emotions within.
